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Obama set for White House talks Obama begins talks at White House
(about 4 hours later)
US President-elect Barack Obama is to hold his first meeting with incumbent George W Bush since his decisive election victory last week. US President-elect Barack Obama has arrived at the White House for his first meeting with George W Bush since his decisive election win last week.
It will be the first visit to the Oval Office for the incoming leader, who takes office on 20 January. It is the first visit to the Oval Office for the incoming leader, who takes office on 20 January.
Mr Bush said the two men would discuss the transition process, as well as thorny issues such as the war in Iraq and the global financial crisis.Mr Bush said the two men would discuss the transition process, as well as thorny issues such as the war in Iraq and the global financial crisis.
Earlier, Mr Obama indicated he could reverse controversial Bush policies.Earlier, Mr Obama indicated he could reverse controversial Bush policies.
His transition chief, John Podesta, said executive orders on issues such as stem cell research and oil drilling were at odds with the president-elect's views.His transition chief, John Podesta, said executive orders on issues such as stem cell research and oil drilling were at odds with the president-elect's views.
Potential plans by the outgoing administration to pass a raft of last-minute regulations were also being watched, he said.Potential plans by the outgoing administration to pass a raft of last-minute regulations were also being watched, he said.
Mr Obama also looks set to tackle US policy on the Guantanamo Bay detention centre.
His advisors are reported to be putting together a plan to release a group of detainees and to transfer most of the rest to the American prison and courts system.
'Bipartisanship''Bipartisanship'
Ahead of the talks, Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle, will be given a tour of their new home at the White House. Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle, are both visiting the building that will be their new home.
The outgoing and incoming presidents are then expected to walk together into the Oval Office for their discussions. The outgoing and incoming presidents walked together into the Oval Office for their discussions. Mrs Obama, meanwhile, will be given a tour of the personal quarters of the White House.
Mr Obama said that he was looking forward to the meeting "to begin the process of a smooth, effective transition".Mr Obama said that he was looking forward to the meeting "to begin the process of a smooth, effective transition".
"I thank him [Mr Bush] for reaching out in the spirit of bipartisanship that will be required to meet the many challenges we face as a nation," he said in a statement."I thank him [Mr Bush] for reaching out in the spirit of bipartisanship that will be required to meet the many challenges we face as a nation," he said in a statement.
There's a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action John PodestaBarack Obama's transition chiefThere's a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action John PodestaBarack Obama's transition chief
Mr Bush, meanwhile, has offered his "complete cooperation" to the president-elect during the transition period. Mr Bush, meanwhile, has offered his "complete co-operation" to the president-elect during the transition period.
The meeting has been arranged with unusual haste - analysts say this is in part because the US is at war, and also because the transition is taking place in the midst of an economic crisis.The meeting has been arranged with unusual haste - analysts say this is in part because the US is at war, and also because the transition is taking place in the midst of an economic crisis.
Mr Obama has said that dealing with the economy is his top priority, and that he will move with "deliberate haste" to choose his cabinet.Mr Obama has said that dealing with the economy is his top priority, and that he will move with "deliberate haste" to choose his cabinet.
Speaking on Friday in his first news conference as president-elect, Mr Obama said he would seek a constructive approach to the talks with Mr Bush.Speaking on Friday in his first news conference as president-elect, Mr Obama said he would seek a constructive approach to the talks with Mr Bush.
However, reports from Washington suggest his transition team has been working hard to identify issues where executive decisions made by Mr Bush could quickly be repealed.However, reports from Washington suggest his transition team has been working hard to identify issues where executive decisions made by Mr Bush could quickly be repealed.
Stem cell moveStem cell move
The Washington Post newspaper reported that transition officials had compiled a list of some 200 executive orders to be considered.The Washington Post newspaper reported that transition officials had compiled a list of some 200 executive orders to be considered.
Mr Podesta said executive orders on stem cell research or drilling in Utah could easily be repealed as no congressional action was needed.Mr Podesta said executive orders on stem cell research or drilling in Utah could easily be repealed as no congressional action was needed.
BUSH DECISIONS UNDER FIRE Limited federal funding for medical research using human embryo stem cellsAid groups receiving US aid barred from counselling women about abortion availabilityCalifornia barred from imposing minimum standards of vehicle fuel efficiencyUtah land being opened up for oil and gas drillingBUSH DECISIONS UNDER FIRE Limited federal funding for medical research using human embryo stem cellsAid groups receiving US aid barred from counselling women about abortion availabilityCalifornia barred from imposing minimum standards of vehicle fuel efficiencyUtah land being opened up for oil and gas drilling
The Washington Post said other orders affecting environmental legislation and abortion issues were also under consideration.The Washington Post said other orders affecting environmental legislation and abortion issues were also under consideration.
"There's a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action, and I think we'll see the president do that," Mr Podesta said."There's a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action, and I think we'll see the president do that," Mr Podesta said.
Potential plans for a last-minute rush of executive decisions by the White House were also being watched carefully, he added.Potential plans for a last-minute rush of executive decisions by the White House were also being watched carefully, he added.
The current administration has proposed a number of regulation changes they hope can be approved before Mr Obama's team moves into the White House.The current administration has proposed a number of regulation changes they hope can be approved before Mr Obama's team moves into the White House.
Critics say many of the proposals would weaken environmental and consumer protection as well as reduce controls on drilling and mining companies.Critics say many of the proposals would weaken environmental and consumer protection as well as reduce controls on drilling and mining companies.